How to Search in the “Hidden Job Market”

How to Search in the “Hidden Job Market” Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Career Services

What is the Hidden Job Market? • The hidden job market is known as jobs that are not advertised. However, if jobs are not advertised in some way, how do they ever get filled? • People retire, resign, relocate, transfer, and get sick.

How do we find these Jobs? • Newspapers are expensive for companies and the results are slow coming. • Companies post jobs in-house and offer cash incentives to employees if the people they recommend from the outside get hired • Word of mouth is a major way these “unadvertised” jobs get filled

Conventional Ways Pound the Pavement • Going to the library to research companies • Making cold telephone calls to employers • Calling job hot lines • Sending out hard copies of your resume • Chatting with people

New WaysPound the Cyber Pavement • Research companies online • Contact employers by email • Browse employers’ job listing pages • Visit virtual career centers (Careerbuilders.com, Monster.com, etc.) • Zip off your resume electronically • Cyber-chat directly with others in your field

With its phenomenal growth, employers are now turning to the internet to advertise their previously “unadvertised” positions, because it’s cheaper and faster than advertising in other media. For just a few bucks or no bucks, employers may advertise worldwide if they wish, and in a day or two, receive dozens of resumes. They may also advertise jobs on their own Web pages, which is even cheaper. About: Tech Careers

Newsgroups, also called Internet discussion groups, Usenet forums, Usenet newsgroups, and just plain ol’ Usenet, are all over the Net. They are online communities of people interested in particular topics. Several are dedicated to jobs, where word of mouth is what it’s all about, and it doesn’t cost employers a penny. About: Tech Careers

Professional organizations have always been excellent places for researching, networking, and finding job leads. These groups are made up of employers and individuals that have similar interests. Now, they have a fresh, worldwide presence on the Internet. About: Tech Careers

NetworkingWhat is it? • Networking is simply “talking to people.” People are happy to help others if they can.

FAQ-Networking Why do employers prefer friends and relatives of their employees? Pretend you are an employer. You have a job opening to fill. Who would you hire? A. An unknown person B. A friend recommended by one of your best workers?

FAQ-Networking Should I be careful about asking “anyone” to help me? Yes! If you ask a slacker to try and arrange a job interview for you, it will probably backfire. Be a little cautious about who you ask. Use you instincts.

FAQ-Networking Does this networking stuff really work? Absolutely! Three-quarters of all job openings are filled though networking. Networking is also one of the easiest ways to get a job. All you have to do is socialize and talk to your friends.

NetworkingContacts • Personal Contacts • Friends • Family • Faculty / Staff • Neighbors • Classmates • Club members • Acquaintances • Social/Religious gatherings

NetworkingContacts • Professional Contacts • Employers • Supervisors • Colleagues • Subordinates • Clients • Customers • Fellow association members

NetworkingContacts • Internet • Subscribers to mailing list you participate in (listservs, blogs, etc) • Personal or professional contacts that you might communicate with via e-mail • Social networking sites (myspace, facebook)

How to Search in the “Hidden Job Market”